The statistics were released by health minister Steve Brine during a session in parliament.

In spring and summer through to early autumn, most people should get the vitamin D they need through sunlight, while in winter months, it can be taken in certain foods including oily fish, red meat and egg yolks.

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Having dark skin and being overweight or elderly can increase the risk of having not enough vitamin D.

Nationally, there has been a 90 per cent increase of Vitamin D deficiency with more than 75,000 cases recorded over 2016 and 2017 – up from nearly 40,000.

The data revealed levels of vitamin D deficiency were highest in poorer parts of the country, and particularly high in certain constituencies in London.

The results refer to either a primary or secondary diagnosis, which means vitamin D deficiency was either the main cause of problems which led to hospital treatment, or something discovered when the patient was being treated for something else.

A study published earlier this year suggested more widespread use of sunscreen could be leading to more cases of deficiency, especially across the western world.